Antidiabetic Activity of Basella rubra and its Relationship with the Antioxidant Property
A. Nirmala *
Department of Biotechnology, Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology, Paiyanoor, Tamil Nadu, India.
S. Saroja
Department of Biochemistry, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
G. Gayathri Devi
Department of Biochemistry, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin (STZ) has been shown to damage pancreatic beta cell and produce hyperglycemia in rats. In the present study an attempt was made to examine the action of Basella rubra against experimental diabetes as well as the antioxidant potential of the leaf extract. Aqueous extract of Basella rubra (400mg/kg body weight for 30 days) was found to significantly reduce the blood sugar level. The oxidative stress produced by streptozotocin was found to be significantly lowered when compared to control rats. This was evident from a significant decrease in blood sugar level and increased level of liver enzymatic (Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) and non enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin C, E and reduced glutathione). These results indicate that Basella rubra extract effectively reduced the oxidative stress induced by streptozotocin and potential reduction in blood sugar level.Keywords: Basella rubra, diabetes mellitus, antioxidant, oxidants, hyperglycemia